If you’ve been visiting the same holiday destination for quite some time now, then it may be time to consider purchasing your own vacation home. Having your own home means you don’t have to worry about hotel availability, you can come and go as you please without any prior notice, plus you can host friends and family whenever you like. It gives you a chance to really settle in at the destination and make it a true second home.
Before you start the hunt, here’s a look at some top tips to remember as you purchase your very own vacation home.
GIVE A LOT OF THOUGHT TO THE LOCATION
Unlike with hotels where you can just pick another one next time you visit, your vacation home will be staying in the same spot. This is exactly why you want to give a lot of thought to the location of the home.
Ask yourself what you like to do while on vacation. Do you like to spend a lot of time at the beach, do you enjoy shopping in town, do you like taking part in activities on a daily basis and visiting local restaurants, or would you like more of a quiet retreat – all of these questions will help you to determine the best location for your home.
CONNECT WITH A LOCAL REAL ESTATE AGENT
Even though you may have visited the destination a number of times, this doesn’t make you an expert in the local real estate market. This is exactly why it’s so important to connect with a local agent. Most of the top destinations in the country will have local real estate agents that deal specifically with vacation properties.
Take, for example, Amelia Island Real Estate. This company not only serves those living on the island, but also people looking to get vacation property. Because they are local, they will be able to help direct you to the best area that matches your vacation style and requests.
WILL YOU BE RENTING THE PROPERTY OUT?
Another thing to consider is whether you plan to rent out the home, or a portion of the home. For many people looking to purchase a vacation home, turning it into a rental is one way to make it affordable. If this is what you want to do, you need to look for properties that will meet the needs of renters as well as your own list of demands.
RENT BEFORE YOU BUY
If at all possible, it’s a good idea to rent the home for a week or two before you purchase it. This is a wonderful way to get a feel for the area, get to know the layout of the house, and determine if it meets all your needs.
NO NEED TO RUSH YOUR PURCHASE
While it would be great to find that perfect vacation home quickly and easily, the fact is that it often requires time, patience, and a lot of searching. There really should be no need to rush your purchase. Instead, hold out for something that you know will provide you with many years’ worth of fabulous vacations and memories.